About this course

Entry requirements

A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. GCSE Mathematics and English language at grade C (Grade 4) or above, or equivalent. All shortlisted applicants are subject to interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Why take this course?

This course offers the recognised teaching qualification that will enable you to pursue a career as a teacher in the further education and training sector, which is predominantly students aged 16 and above.

You can follow a full-time programme at the university, or train on a part-time basis at one of our partner colleges (South Downs College, Chichester College, St Vincent College campus and Eastleigh College). The full time route is intended for those not currently employed in a teaching role whereas the part time route is designed for teachers who currently work in further education and training sector. Both routes encourage you to develop subject-specific knowledge by working closely with your course teachers and work-based subject mentors.

What will I experience?

On this course, you will develop your skills as a teacher through practical activity and the study of theories and contemporary issues within further education.

You will join fellow professionals from a range of subject backgrounds for lectures and seminars, creating an effective peer network where a variety of teaching practice can be shared. You will then gain work experience in a teaching placement.

For full time students the course is similar to a full time job as you will attend lectures and seminars at the university or be on placement days per week. While hours may vary slightly a student’s average hours of attendance are from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Placements are arranged by the university for all fulltime students.

On the part time route, you will attend one of our partner colleges once per week (see college’s website for details). You are expected to have secured your own teaching placement where you will teach at least 50 hours per year and have an identified subject mentor.

What opportunities might it lead to?

This PGCE provides the skills and knowledge to take up teaching roles in further education environments, including:

Further education colleges

Sixth-form colleges

Private training providers

Public services

Voluntary organisations

The PGCE is a professional teaching qualification which is recognised by further education providers in the UK. This means upon successful completion you may gain employment with a further education provider. In addition PGCE graduates may apply to the Society for Education & Training (SET) to gain QTLS.

Module Details

Teaching Block 1 focuses on developing you as a teaching practitioner. This involves learning about teaching concepts and developing practical skills in planning and delivering lessons to a high standard, as well as assessing students. This will be delivered and assessed via the following two units:

Unit 1.1 Planning, Assessing and Evaluating Teaching and Learning Programmes: this unit encourages you to understand how to organise and plan your teaching and learning sessions and use different assessment methods, as well as start developing your own personal and professional skills.

Unit 1.2 Theories and Principles for Planning and Enabling Learning in a Specialist Subject Area: in this unit you will examine a range of teaching and learning theories, learn how to plan and develop inclusive learning into your lessons and understand how to use a range of communication and classroom management skills.

Teaching Block 2 is designed to enable you to establish a wider knowledge of the further education sector. You will research contemporary issues which are affecting further education as well as continuing to hone your teaching practice. This will be delivered and assessed via the following two units:

Unit 2.1 Professional Practice: this unit encourages you to review the development of your personal and professional skills, develop a career management file and research into a specific area of your teaching.

Unit 2.2 Curriculum Design in a Specialist Subject Area: in this unit you will learn about the range of contexts in which education and training are offered, analyse theories and models of curriculum design and understand how to promote equality within practice.

Programme Assessment

Teaching aims to demonstrate good practice and therefore employs a range of styles which include seminars, workshops, lectures and active group participation. Your time in class will develop your skills and knowledge to inform your own teaching practice and help to develop your own teaching style.

The emphasis throughout the course is on inclusive learning and teaching combined with reflective practice within a teacher’s own specialist subject area.

Each teaching block you will complete two units of study, with each unit comprising between 2 – 3 assignments. On the full-time pathway you will take both teaching blocks (four units of study) during the year. On the part-time pathway you will take one teaching block (two units of study) each year.

Each unit has varying approaches to assessment. Examples include research based essays, teaching practice files, lesson observations and logging personal development which will be supported by reflective accounts.

Student Destinations

This programme will enable you to teach in further and higher education environments. It is also an eligible course for conversion to Qualified Teacher Status.